Staff writer

The 18 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum have agreed in principle to set up a new high-level suborgan to oversee and further promote economic and technical cooperation within the region.

Japanese government sources said Wednesday that APEC members will make a final decision during annual ministerial talks in Vancouver, British Columbia, later this month. The ninth annual ministerial meeting will be followed immediately by a fifth informal summit of APEC leaders.